Antimessenger oligonucleotide against urokinase receptor

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides optionally stabilized with phosphorotioate residues or analogues, or modified in the whole sugar-phosphate backbone--complementary to the human urokinase receptor messenger RNA--are able to prevent invasiveness of neoplastic cells by inhibiting the overexpression of the receptor itself, directly responsible of the invasive phenotype. Said oligomers are useful as medicaments for the treatment of primary and secondary neoplasias as well as of other pathologies wherein the urokinase receptor gene overexpression is a pathogenic event.

We claim: 
     
       1. An antisense oligonucleotide having the following sequence (Sequence ID No. 1):   5'-CGG CGG GTG ACC CAT GTC-3'.     
     
     
       2. A composition comprising the oligonucleotide of claim 1 and a carrier. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the carrier is a cationic liposomal form. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the cationic liposomal carrier is DOTAP.